Study Supports Value of Serial Debridement in Chronic Wounds

August 17, 2007 — Advanced BioHealing Inc. (ABH), in collaboration with leaders in wound healing research, released an analysis that demonstrates the value of serial debridement in treating lower extremity wounds.

The manuscript, entitled "Serial Surgical Debridement Increases the Healing Rates of Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds," was presented by David Armstrong, DPM, Ph.D, at the annual meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) in Philadelphia, Pa.

"We looked at data from more than 500 patients who were enrolled in two large clinical studies of wound healing," said Dr. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director of Scholl's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. "The results clearly demonstrate the value of serial wound debridement to increase the rate of wound healing and the likelihood of total wound closure. We are gratified that Advanced BioHealing is partnering with physicians to help us improve patient outcomes and willing to allow access to these large databases it has collected while conducting clinical studies."

Examination of data from the clinical trials revealed that wounds serially debrided within the first four weeks of the treatment period had a median wound area reduction 54 percent higher than wounds that were not debrided. Additionally, venous leg ulcers receiving debridement at more than half of their study visits in the first month had a better chance of reaching 75 percent wound closure in 4 weeks, 90 percent wound closure in 12 weeks, and/or 100 percent closure in 12 weeks. Diabetic foot ulcers receiving debridement at every study visit over 12 weeks had a much greater chance of reaching ultimate wound closure than those debrided less often.

David Eisenbud, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of ABH, added, "We believe that our products, such as Dermagraft, are most effective when used within a comprehensive regimen that optimizes the wound healing process. It benefits the company, physicians, and patients for us to mine our extensive databases for empirical evidence to guide clinical care." He also noted, "The value of serial debridement has been a somewhat controversial topic throughout the years. We believe these data conclusively demonstrate the importance of this clinical procedure in facilitating closure of chronic wounds."

This research is part of an on-going collaboration between ABH, leading medical scientists, and institutions to use the company's data, accumulated through multiple large registration trials, to answer important clinical questions and advance evidence-based wound care.